Food, fireworks, family fun. Here are four for the Fourth

Fireworks explode over the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul in this 2010 file photo. (Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

Whether it's packing and snacking on a picnic, watching a parade, throwing a backyard barbecue or gathering for fireworks, the Fourth of July is a great time to get together and celebrate America's independence.

Here are four festive holiday events worth checking out.

Downtown St. Paul fireworks: Fireworks at St. Paul's downtown riverfront area near Harriet Island Regional Park start at dusk (about 10:15 p.m.) Thursday. You can watch from Harriet Island or other viewing spots including Indian Mounds Park, Raspberry Island, Kellogg Mall Park and the stairs of the Science Museum of Minnesota. Stpaul.gov

Independence Day Celebration, Historic Fort Snelling: Forget the fireworks and bring on the cannons. Find out what life was like in the 1800s with a day full of patriotic speeches, a military dress parade, patriotic and military fife and drum music, historic games, plays and cannon salutes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday; 200 Tower Ave., St. Paul; $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under; 612-726-1171 or historicfortsnelling.org.

Fourth of July Parade and Picnic, St. Anthony Park: St. Paul's only Independence Day parade happens at 11 a.m. Thursday in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood with the route going from Luther Place down Como Avenue to Langford Park. Following the parade, there's a family-friendly picnic at Logan Park with live music, pony rides, games and kids activities.

Minneapolis Red, White and Boom: This two-day celebration kicks off on Wednesday with the Hot Dam 5K Fun Run (6:30 p.m.; Nicollet Island) and music by Rogue Valley (7 p.m.) and a screening of "Top Gun" (9 p.m.) at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. On Thursday there's a half marathon (6:30 a.m.; Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 420 Main St. S.E.); live music at Mill Ruins Park (6-10 p.m.; 130 Portland Ave. S.); live music and family friendly activities (6-10 p.m.; Father Hennepin Bandshell; 420 Main St. S.E.). Fireworks start at 10 p.m. on the Mississippi Riverfront. Minneapolisparks.org